A proposed merger between the Westlock Foundation and Sturgeon Foundation could create a new, larger supportive housing organization with the ability to fund over 350 new units in both areas, according to the organizations’ executive director.
The potential merger, said Dennis Magnusson, will dissolve the two groups and amalgamate what remains to help eliminate operational redundancies in both operations, including at Westlock’s Pembina and Smithfield lodges.
Currently, the two foundations deliver subsidized seniors housing to 735 residents/tenants across in the Westlock and Sturgeon areas.
Magnusson hopes the resources freed up would allow the combined organization to increase that number to 1,000.
“You have a larger organization, that gives you a stronger organization,” Magnusson said.
“More clout, easier to recruit and to train professional staff. Better business models.”
Currently, more than 100 organizations help deliver subsidized housing to seniors around Alberta. The provincial government is pushing to reduce that number to give remaining not-for-profits enhanced resources and capabilities.
In order to merge, both organizations have now begun a year-long process that requires approval from both local officials and provincial approval.
Magnusson said he hopes to have a proposal ready for March.
“That information will explain what we’re doing and what the advantages are,” he said.
While the potential merger will allow the new, as-of-yet nameless foundation to deliver increased services, it will retain all current offices and staff in both municipalities.
“We’re trying to streamline our organizational structure, but there will be no job loss anywhere in the organization,” Magnusson said.
“We’ll just be moving to improve business practices. Our planning and approach will be based on a larger region rather than two smaller ones.”
The transition, he added, shouldn’t affect service delivery in either area.
“The people that live in the facilities we operate, they won’t notice any difference,” Magnusson said.
“There will be no interruption or change to any of the services.”
Dennis Primeau, Westlock County councillor and Westlock Foundation board member agreed that resident security would be a concern and looked forward to the increased capabilities a new larger organization would present area seniors.
“We want to give [our seniors] the best quality of care we can,” Primeau said.
“You can’t put an endless amount of money in, it has to be done effectively and efficiently. We need to do the best we can with the resources we have.”
Primeau also pointed to public consultation as a key factor moving forward.
“We obviously need feedback from the public — those that are using those facilities,” Primeau said.
County reeve Bud Massey agreed that service continuity for seniors would remain a priority.
“Service would be first and to make sure that our residents are protected and that they have good quality service,” Massey said.
